100 Series HP vs 3rd Gen 4Runner HP

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

UncleBanjo

UncleBanjo

10 Year
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Threads
6
Messages
69
Location
Northwest Florida
Hey guys! Not sure if this is the correct spot, but i'm in debate again. Don't really get to wheel my FJ80 as much as I would like and looking to get into something more daily drive-able. Before I got my FJ80, I was in contemplation between a 3rd Gen 4runner or FJ80. Went with the FJ80 for wheeling capabilities, but now it doesn't make that big of a difference as I just cant utilize the FJ80 as much as i would like and the truck deserves.

So my question now is, 3rd Gen 4runner or 100 Series Cruiser. I looked up the power specs and the 100 Series is pushing around 220-230HP V8 but weighs 5K lbs and the 4Runner is pushing 180HP V6 and weighs 4K lbs. So which would be better for daily and getting around town. V8 has more power but weighs quite a bit, and 4runner has less power but also less weight. Will also plan on getting a boat soon. Which would pull better and which would be more off-road capable. Basically just wondering what platform is best for what. Sorry for long post. Just wanted to explain situation the best I could. lol

Anyone out there driven both or owned both? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks guys!!
 
I've owned both, and had a 4th gen in between. The first 4R was a 99 Limited. Then I upgraded to a 4th Gen 4R which felt much sturdier, stronger (V8, 5sp auto), etc. Then I just got a 100 which I feel is far sturdier feeling than either and is basically in an entirely different class of "quality feel". I suppose since I thought the 4th Gen was so much nicer than the 3rd gen, that would put the 100 at two levels of "class" higher. Though it's subjective, you feel it the moment you drive a 100.

I've towed with all 3 vehicles. The 99 handled the load (3500 lbs roughly) well but the 3.5 struggled as far as pulling power. The 4th gen with the 4.7vvti was absolutely fabulous, and now with the 05 100 (no vvti, and heavier) It certainly feels more solid trailering but weaker than the 4th gen/V8. Basically you can really feel the weight with the LC for better or worse.

FWIW I feel that the 4th gen 4R has better corrosion protection/consideration than the 100 or my 3rd Gen. Body was holding up perfectly after 9 winters. At that age I was getting body rust on the 99 (actually younger than that- my 99 was traded in in 06). There is an 03 4R in my neighborhood with no rust to speak of, either, after a dozen winters.
 
I currently own both. 100 all the way. But apples and oranges really.

I love my 3rd gen, I've had it significantly longer, and I'll definitely never sell it, but it just doesn't hold a candle to the LX.

I'll admit the 3rd gen is much more wallet friendly in terms of mods, but it's all relative I suppose.

Obviously mpgs will differ.

 
Weight over Power = Power:Weight ratio... easy to figure out which truck "should" feel faster

Remember - the 2006/07 100 is at 275 hp. Not a lot, but more than the earlier 100s. Either way, I'd look more at the torque numbers - for around town driving, e.g. from a stop. Around town, my 100 feels plenty strong - even with the 33s (and those unbelievably heavy, power-sucking steels wheels). It's on the highway that it feels underpowered, e.g. accelerating from 60-75 mph - like when you'd pass on a two-lane... gotta get a running start.
 
My stock 3rd Gen is a truck and rides like one. I find it hard to press the buttons on my stereo because my arm is constantly being jostled about. I miss buttons all the time.

These arent crappy roads either, just fine to drive on with no pot holes. Other half of my neighborhood has brick roads, very old part of town. Going over 20mph in this area and I think stuff is going to fall off.

100s Ive driven are so much smoother, like riding on a cloud compared to a 3rd gen

Neither get MPGs to be proud of compared to modern vehicles so it doesnt really matter.
 
Manhattan said:
Weight over Power = Power:Weight ratio... easy to figure out which truck "should" feel faster

Remember - the 2006/07 100 is at 275 hp. Not a lot, but more than the earlier 100s. Either way, I'd look more at the torque numbers - for around town driving, e.g. from a stop. Around town, my 100 feels plenty strong - even with the 33s (and those unbelievably heavy, power-sucking steels wheels). It's on the highway that it feels underpowered, e.g. accelerating from 60-75 mph - like when you'd pass on a two-lane... gotta get a running start.
Click to expand...

You have an 06 and you're stating that? Just wait until you get full armor onto it and see how it drives. It's not that bad, but I think you may be in for a surprise.
 
duggy said:
You have an 06 and you're stating that? Just wait until you get full armor onto it and see how it drives. It's not that bad, but I think you may be in for a surprise.
Click to expand...

I made the mistake of riding with a friend in his 200 Series... that's a nice bumper in power. Yeah, a nice bump in $$$ too.
 
Thanks for the input guys! Hmmm! Seems like the weight of the 100 Series provides a better, smoother feel but loses the agility and "quick" feel, and the light weight of the runner gives it more agility , but a sacrifice in that solid drive-able feel. Mods are definitely more expensive for the 100 Series too. I really just need to drive both and see how they feel. My main thing is just the slow acceleration to highway speeds in my 80, especially up hills. Feel like a road hazard.

As far as MPG though, i'm not too concerned. I'm getting like 10mpg right now on my fully armored 80. lol
 
I've got both, a 99 SR5 with the Highlander packager, and a 99 TLC. The Land Cruiser is certainly better for long distance, but I prefer my 4 Runner around town. Too bad I'm selling my Runner because I really don't need 2 SUVs!

It really depends what you need. The 4 Runner is a great truck and will last forever, but it rides like a truck, doesn't have a lot of power to tow over 3000 lbs, and did I mention it rides like a truck!

The 100 Series is fantastic for a long distance drive, but the MPG's definitely hurt!
 
UncleBanjo said:
Thanks for the input guys! Hmmm! Seems like the weight of the 100 Series provides a better, smoother feel but loses the agility and "quick" feel, and the light weight of the runner gives it more agility , but a sacrifice in that solid drive-able feel. Mods are definitely more expensive for the 100 Series too. I really just need to drive both and see how they feel. My main thing is just the slow acceleration to highway speeds in my 80, especially up hills. Feel like a road hazard.

As far as MPG though, i'm not too concerned. I'm getting like 10mpg right now on my fully armored 80. lol
Click to expand...

Why not consider a 4th Gen 4R V8? If you can get over the looks of them (they grew on me for sure over time) it's a SPECTACULAR vehicle, a perfect blend of 100 + 3rd Gen 4R attributes. Lots of pep with the V8 in that rig too!
 
Yea! Didn't think about that! How much are the 4th gens going for? Is ground clearance an off road-ability an issue with those?
 
UncleBanjo said:
Yea! Didn't think about that! How much are the 4th gens going for? Is ground clearance an off road-ability an issue with those?
Click to expand...
Nice ones with 120K miles or less go for about $14K - $22K, depending on year, trim level & condition.

You can get older, more heavily used ones for less, but probably not below about $9K.

I just paid $21K for very nice 2008 V8 4x4 Limited. It's fully loaded including factory navigation, leather, heat power seats with memory,
rear camera, tow package, etc...

Just dropped about $3K more on new tires, new brakes all around, and upgraded suspension.


For off road use, most people lift them, and put on larger tires. Lifts of 2.5 inches in the front & 1.5 inches in the rear can be done easily
without hitting issues with the upper control arms, cv-joints, etc. The most that might be needed is to relocated the location of the mounting
of the anti-sway bar, and you should be able to get the parts for as little as $500 if you're concerned about budget. Of course, the "better" off-road stuff, including ICONs can and do run into several grand.

You can get bilstien 5100 shocks for about $350-$375 delivered if you shop (PM me if you buy one, and I can tell you where),
The height in the front of these billys are adjustable. The rears can accommodate up to a 2" lift, but the lift comes from changing the coil springs and/or adding a spacer to the rear suspension.


After market coils with a lift run from about $75-ish up to about $200-ish per pair (ball park... you'd have to check).

If you want more aggressive off-road performance and / or coil-overs for the front, the lifts get more expensive ($800 to several thousand).

Sometimes larger ties require some minor trimming of plastic fender liners or minor mods, or some people add spider trax spacers (about $150 or less) to prevent tire rub on the frame if they get extra-wide tires and keep the factory wheels.

Lifting 3" or more will usually require additional mods like new upper control arms, longer brake lines, changes to sway bars, and possibly other things.

A lot of off-roaders like to add metal off-road bumpers and a winch to the front. Your suspension needs to be tuned to handle the extra weight -- meaning appropriately sized front springs and shocks, or coil-overs.

Overall, the 4Runners can be quite capable off road. Mild off-road use really only requires a moderate lift and proper tires for the terrain.

Slightly larger tires could you get you an inch plus of additional ground clearance.

The 4Runners have some nice off road features, including the ability to lock the central differential, and a "down hill ascent control".
It doesn't have as much as the Lexus trucks, and I'm assuming the FJ Cruisers and Land Cruisers might also have more electronic goodies regarding off-road use, but the 4Runner is no slouch.

If you want to really build out an off-road monster, then the sky's the limit price wise!

There should be good info here on ih8mud.com There are also some 4runner specific forums that have a very large and active 4Runner following.

I hope this info helps.

-Phil
 
side view.webp
Photo added
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom